TERAPIA ELECTROCONVULSIVĂ – DE LA MIT LA ADEVĂR
Electroconvulsive therapy- from mith to truth

Summary/Abstract: Electroconvulsive therapy is a procedure used worldwide in treatmentresistant psychiatric pathology. Studies have shown that it is an effective, fast and low cost cure for treating patients with depression, bipolar disorder, psychosis. However for the patients with catatonia or neuroleptic malignant syndrome it is the first- line treatment. The stigma of ECT was based on to the antipsychiatry movement, that started in the 60s, and on the early treatments, done without anesthesia and with high doses of electricity. This thing has decreased the confidence in this procedure and also the addressability of the pacients. This therapy (ECT) requires the use of an electrical impulse, by the instrumentality of the electrodes placed on the brain, where small electric currents are passing through, intentionally triggering a brief seizure. It is done under general anesthesia, in a controlled setting, with the fewest possible risks. Nowadays it is much safer than it used to be in the past. The electroconvulsive therapy seems to work by causing changes in brain chemistry that can quickly improve the symptoms of mental health condition.

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